THE Jamaica’s Observer’s team of Sanjay Myers and Howard Walker (in Beijing) got the reactions of several pundits at home and overseas after the stunning victory of Usain Bolt in the 100m yesterday at the World Championships in Beijing, China. The following is their compilation.

World Championships bronze medallist (2015) Andre Degrasse: “He shows that he is the man. He proves he doesn’t need a lot of races. He can just turn up and win, that’s why he is who he is,” said Degrasse, fresh from his victory at the Pan American Games. Justin has had a great season but Usain is a legend.

World Championships silver medallist (2015) Justin Gatlin: “I gave the race away in the last five metres, leaning forward and stumbling. It was not the pressure, I have pressure from 2011. Bolt is a gamer, a showman. I love to run, win or lose he is a great guy. I am happy to come out here and run against a great opponent.”

Eight-time world champion Michael Johnson: “Usain Bolt was challenged here more than he has been at any time during his career. Put on top of that the burden of ‘saving the sport’ which was placed on his shoulders, it means that the pressure was there. I have to give him so much credit for that performance.”

BBC Sport commentator Steve Cram: “Usain Bolt will walk away from tonight so proud of himself, and that’s from someone who has so much to be proud of during his career. This may well have been his finest day.”

Former world 100m bronze medallist Darren Campbell: “We said there was always hope for Bolt and that was the case because Gatlin was very nervous. Gatlin’s time of 9.77 in the semi-final would have been enough to win the final, but he couldn’t open the lead he needed and Bolt came through. Talk about a hero – we’ve witnessed greatness.”

BBC Chief Sports Writer Tom Fordyce: “Usain Bolt produced perhaps his greatest performance of all as he put a troubled build-up behind him to beat two-time doper and clear favourite Justin Gatlin to retain his world 100m title.”

Former world hurdles champion Colin Jackson: “Justin Gatlin will kick himself because he will never, ever get a better chance to beat Usain Bolt. It didn’t take the best performance from Bolt to do the business, but he delivered when he needed to. Victory goes to the right person for me.”